India, Nov. 30 -- The history of Lucknow and Awadh is largely defined by two remarkable figures, each leaving their mark for different reasons. The first is Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, who ruled Awadh from 1775 to 1797. His transformation from a free-spirited youth to a well-respected ruler is noteworthy. One of his significant contributions was moving the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow. Under his leadership, the city blossomed, adorned with magnificent structures such as the grand Imambada, the Rumi Darwaza, and a myriad of gardens and buildings that still enchant visitors today. He is famously remembered by the saying, "Jise na de Maula, use de Asaf-ud-Daula," highlighting his commitment to providing for his people, even when fate seemed unkind. The second prominent figure in Awadh's history is Wajid Ali Shah, who ascended the throne in 1847, but was deposed by the British in 1856. As the last ruler of Awadh, he is celebrated more for his artistic talents - his poetry, dance forms, and drama - rather than his governance. Unfortunately, the contributions of other rulers and administrators of Awadh (nine in total, apart from Asaf and Wajid Ali) remain less known, despite each having made their own lasting impact on the region's rich history. Ghazi-ud-Din Haider administered Awadh from 1814-1818 as Nawab Wazir, a subject of the Mughal empire, and then as a notional King during 1818-1827, propped up by the British. That does not mean that he was excessively ambitious or ruthless - it merely indicated the signs of those times, with waning Mughal power at Delhi on one hand and the growing rapaciousness of the British at Calcutta. In any case, Awadh had been long lost to the British after the Battle of Buxar in 1764, and the present arrangement was the result of an uneasy Treaty between the Nawabi dynasty and the British, the latter wanting to retain Awadh as a buffer state, instead of assuming total control. Ghazi-ud-Din is immediately identifiable by the massive Shahnajaf monument that he built in Lucknow, with its several unusual architectural features, not commonly found in other Nawabi monuments - the first and foremost being its huge squat dome and a fortress-like structure. Unlike other Imambadas, which later served as burial sites for their creators, the Shahnajaf appears to have been conceived as a tomb, which later metamorphosed into an Imambada. He is also credited for erecting the Chhattar Manzil palace, which became the residence of the Begums of Awadh in due course of time. But what about the man himself? Described as having 'a quiet and of a rather heavy disposition' it has been alluded that during his father's lifetime, he had been deliberately kept in the background, and not allowed to take part in public affairs; that he had not even been permitted to learn English. But this does not ring true; the foundation of the Nawabi library was laid during his rule, the collection of which eventually spilled over across 4 buildings by the time Wajid Ali became the ruler. Despite constant provocations from the British, he did not come across as a cunning or power-hungry ruler. In fact, Edward Paget, the British commander-in-chief in India, observed that Ghazi-ud-Din was 'an extremely good and kind hearted man...instead of attending to affairs of State, he spent his time in boat-building and house-building, in turning, in printing, in collecting European and especially English commodities of all sorts, descriptions and kinds, and, in short, idling.' Ghazi-ud-Din is also credited for setting up a typographic press called 'Matba-e-Sultani' (Royal Press) in 1817 at Lucknow. In short, his literary forays certainly do not indicate that he was an illiterate ruler. Being the son of Sa'adat Ali Khan and Khurshid Zadi, he resided in a mansion where the maqbaras (tombs) of his parents stand today. His sentimental nature made him demolish his own residence and have the graceful maqbaras of his parents built in the very same location, stating that since he was now moving to his parents' house (Farhat Baksh), the latter would henceforth stay in their son's home. The sentimental side of Ghazi-ud-Din was again revealed when he had the remains of Dulhan Begum removed from Allahabad, and interred beside the grave of Asaf-ud Daula, her husband, in the Bada Imambada. Following her conflict with Sa'adat Ali Khan, the earlier ruling Nawab at Lucknow, Dulhan Begum had quit Awadh and preferred to reside in the Company's territory of Allahabad. We shall now conclude his narrative with an apocryphal tale concerning Ghazi-ud-Din. It appears that in order to gain first-hand knowledge about the well-being of his subjects, he used to wander through the streets of his capital city at night, in the guise of a fakir (mendicant). On one such occasion, he overheard a dispute in a house, where a certain gentleman lived with his two wives: one from his own community, a Bengali Hindu, and the other, a Muslim lady. The Bengali wife had been unable to bear any sons, while the Muslim lady had been more fortunate in this aspect, making her the favoured one in the eyes of her husband. Hence, there was constant strife in the household. The following day, the King summoned the gentleman along with his two wives and reprimanded him for marrying twice. The wily Babu defended his position, arguing that if his Majesty could maintain a harem, then the common man should also be entitled to have two wives, given the circumstances. The ruler smiled and, after considering the arguments presented by the ladies, decreed that two sons, along with a generous pension and rights be given to the wife who had no children. The gentleman was also advised to distribute his affections fairly between his two wives. Ironically, Ghazi-ud-Din Haider himself did not have a happy conjugal life, being often at loggerheads with his principal Queen, Badhshah Begum, the latter being unable to give him a son and heir. Ultimately, it was a maidservant, Subh Daulat, elevated as Nawab Mumtaz Mahal, the fourth begum of Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, whose son, Nasir-ud-Din Haider became the second King of Awadh in 1827. PC Sarkar, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...